Program Options

Full Curriculum means that you can choose any course (subject to prerequisites) from Maynooth University’s entire curriculum. With a tradition of academic excellence dating back to 1795, the University offers a diverse and flexible curriculum across the Arts, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Sciences and the Social Sciences. Students studying at Maynooth University typically take 4 courses per semester from across 34 university departments. Maynooth is the only university in Ireland to offer anthropology courses and due to its history offers an unrivalled suite of theology courses. Students may choose up to 6 3-credit courses but to ensure a manageable workload we recommend a maximum of 5.

The Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage offers an inter-disciplinary overview of Irish culture with a focus on archaeology, history, language and literature. Students choose either ID 001 (3) Introducing Irish Cultural Heritage or ID 002 (3) Introducing Settlement and Society in Early Ireland and then select three additional courses from the following:

ID 003 (3) – The Cultural Heritage of Newgrange

ID 004 (3) – Cultural Heritage and the Irish Literary Tradition

ID 005 (3) – Cultural Heritage and the Early Irish Heroic Tradition

ID 013 (3) – The Cultural Heritage of Royal Sites

LC 101 (3) – Irish language I

Courses are subject to change.

As part of the Program Maynooth University offers an exciting array of field seminars to the Boyne Valley World Heritage Site which includes the three largest artificial structures in Neolothic Europe dating from 3300-3000 BC; the Hill of Tara, the great monastery of Clonmacnoise and the prehistoric complex at Emain Macha which contains archaeological sites dating from 2200 BC. Students may have to pay a small supplement to participate in some of these excursions.

The Certificate in International Business offers visiting international students a grounding in the functional principles of International Business. Students choose 2 courses from those listed below plus 2 further courses from within the business modules at Maynooth University. This certificate is designed for students who have completed one year of a Business Degree or arts majors with business as a core subject.

In 2019, spring semester students can extend their studies
into the summer with an optional 4-week internship and service
learning program which includes accommodation on campus,
a transportation pass and an unpaid work placement. Service
learning placements are available in animal welfare, community
outreach, elderly support and youth services. Internship
placements are available in accounting, hospitality, IT, marketing
and personnel and management. Details and cost of the 4-week program are being finalized and will be updated here when available.

Academic Overview & Policies

Each course carries a recommended 3 credits and students select 4-6 courses from a wide range of subjects.

Attendance is required to receive full credit.

Computer access and email There are many computer facilities for students on campus. Local AIFS staff will provide any assistance required including help and advice on a wide range of topics relating to the Computer Center which will help students benefit fully from information technology while studying at Maynooth.

ECTS Maynooth University awards ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits. The number of class hours and ECTS credits will be shown on the transcript to allow each student’s home institution the ultimate decision in the awarding of U.S. credit. Recommended U.S. semester credits next to each course description are based on 15 classroom hours per semester credit and are not a conversion of ECTS credits. Students should consult with their university advisors prior to participating in the program to have course credit pre-approved and ensure that they are taking the appropriate amount of credits.

Library The library contains over 450,000 books and eBooks and more than 42,000 electronic journals. The library also provides a range of information skills and training courses to enable students to identify, obtain, evaluate and use information efficiently, effectively and ethically. The library has many computers for student use, self service photocopying and also provides laptops and Kindles, which can be asked for at the main desk. The staff are extremely helpful and are available to assist with any queries.

Textbooks Students should budget about €60 for textbooks.

Grades No AIFS participant is permitted to take a course without receiving a letter grade. Pass/Fail grade options are not available. Students receive letter grades on this scale:

71+

A+

66 - 70

A

63 – 65

A-

61 – 62

B+

58 – 60

B

55 – 57

B-

52 – 54

C+

48 – 51

C

45 – 47

C-

40 – 44

D

0-39

F

Transcripts are issued by Maynooth University upon successful completion of the prescribed assessments. One official copy of
the transcript will be sent to the student’s home institution on completion of the program.

Maynooth University

Maynooth University has been recognized as one of the leading new universities in the world, ranked #49 in the new Times Higher
Education (THE) 200 Under 50 rankings. Maynooth University is also the highest placed Irish university in these rankings. It is Irelandís
fastest growing university with over 9,000 students from over 90 countries.

Today, the University is a place of lively contrasts. It is at the same time Irelandís youngest university, established as the National
University of Ireland Maynooth in 1997, and Irelandís second oldest university, with a tradition of academic excellence tracing back to
the founding of St Patrickís College in 1795. The campus of Maynooth is divided across the South campus, an older complex of fine
nineteenth century buildings, and the North campus, a modern complex of teaching, research, accommodation and support facilities.